tion and this fact alone was sufficient cause for uni
versal rejoicing, taking into consideration that for
that length of time State had been practically a
ship without a rudder. For though there may be
many men in a college faculty who are most effi
cient and competent instructors, yet it is general
ly the case that: there is only one man among
them who is capable of managing the reins of gov
ernment and commanding the respect due to au
thority. Whether this state of affairs is due to in
capability or inexperience is a difficult question to
solve but the fact remains that such is the case.
During the past few months college discipline has
been queerly enforced, and the affairs of state
been as badly handled as it were possible for them
to be. General discontent was the result, being
expressed by everybody and in every manner,
but no attention was paid to it, and it was al
lowed to feed and grow as such things will until
it was fast nearing the danger point when the
present month was ushered in. Let us hope that
it has brought with it a far better state of affairs.
HOW THE VARSITY WON THE CUP.
"Can't you listen to a little common sense
jack." Two young collegians were sitting on
the veranda of their fraternity chapter house.
They were lounging in comfortable arm chairs
resting their pedal extremities on the rail in front
of them as boys are wont to do when time hangs
heavily on their hands. Jack Hammer, fair haired
and athletic with clear cut features, wore a sulky
determined look, which formed a sharp contrast
with the bright vivacious face of his little, dark
haired and.black-eyed chum Harry Keene.
"Well he called me a fool," was Jack's laconic
reply. Then after a pause he continued, "It's
no use to argue with me. I'm not going to run
on Saturday and that settles it. I don't give a
hang if the 'Varsity does lose the cup. If they
wish my services they will have to get a new train
er. I'll not touch cinder. till they have a man
who can treat, you like a gentleman and not like
THE FREE LANCE
a beast of burden," and rising suddenly with that
impatient air of an angry man, he strode into the
house and up to his room there to brood over his
fancied wrongs, while small Harry mentally ejacu
lated, "The trainer was not far wrong after all."
Hammer was one of the best athletes and most
popular men in college. Base-ball, foot-ball and
the oar were favorite pastimes, but in one thing he
excelled all others and that was in the distance
runs. For two years he had held the college rec
ord on the mile and half mile, and the preceding
Spring he had clipped several seconds from the
mile record of the Inter•collegiate Athletic Asso
ciation to which the 'Varsity belonged. For the
last three years the contests for the cup of this, as
sociation had been very sharp and exciting.
Simms College and Heath University had been
strong candidates, and it marked the termination
of a long series of triumphs for Simms when the
'Varsity took the cup the preceding season. It
was rumored that Siinms was straining every nerve
to regain the trophy and as several of the 'Varsity
winners had graduated, the battle would be well
contested and decided either way by only a few
points. Heath was also expected to show up
well.
The contest was to be held this year on the
home grounds of the 'Varsity and the whole
population of the little town of Browningford,
where it was situated, were looking forward eager
ly to the great day when they would be able to
show their loyalty. The coming Saturday was
the time set and as the day approached, enthusi
asm kept on mounting higher. In the midst of
this came the news that Jack Hammer had fallen
out with the trainer and refused to compete
in the long runs. A more effective damper for
the high spirits of the students and townspeople
could hardly be found. He was sure of seven if
not ten points, and the comments on the occur
rence were by no means complimentary to the
young man.
It seems that Jack had reported at the track
Monday afternoon in not a very peaceful frame of